West Linn sophomore Elijah Molden burst onto the high school football scene last season and concluded his year with a scholarship offer from the University of Oregon, a school that typically holds off on such blatant displays of infatuation with young talent.

Elijah’s father, Alex Molden, was an All-American cornerback at Oregon before becoming a first-round pick for the New Orleans Saints and playing in the NFL for nearly a decade.

Some naysayers point to Elijah’s lineage and express that Oregon is simply extending a favor to a talented, but not that talented, young man with ties to Eugene.

It’s a nice start, that’s for sure, but Elijah has made the most of his father’s teachings and become an elite athlete in his own right, one that is considered a national recruit at a very young age.

Recently, programs beyond Oregon are taking notice, as Florida State University and USC are reaching out to the sophomore through letters and his high school coaches.

As a freshman, the 5-foot-10, 175-pound athlete made his mark breaking up passes and displaying defensive back techniques that are rare at the high school level, let alone by first-year high schoolers.

Despite possessing the talent to be a varsity running back, Elijah stuck to the defensive side of the ball, in part, to let his body mature to better absorb the hits from older athletes.

“It’s really exciting, but I don’t think it’s sunk in completely yet,” Molden said. “I’ve been watching them ever since I can remember and it means a lot to me. I can’t wait to get down there and go to a game.”

But this season, the young phenom’s role is changing.

Instead of delivering big hits, Molden will also be trying to avoid them as an athletic offensive weapon.

“This year, I’m playing mostly running back on offense, maybe a little slot receiver,” he said. “Oregon was recruiting me as an athlete.”

Molden will still play defensive back under his father’s watchful eye, and said that he actually prefers that side of the ball at this stage in his career.

“Since last year I didn’t play offense, I’d have to say corner right now, but after this year I’ll see how it is,” Molden said.

Off the field, the sophomore is bracing for the increased recruiting attention, which is already coming from the Trojans.

“USC just recently contacted my position coach, and I think they are going to be more involved,” he said.

While Oregon is the school with which Molden is most familiar, he said his recruitment will be a wide open proceess, as he wants to see what other colleges have to offer.

“I’m excited about it. I’m open to all colleges,” he said. “I’ve only really been around one college, so I’m excited to see other schools and take my unofficial and official visits to other places. I’m just interested to see how Oregon is different from other schools.”